September intake open · DfE-funded
Skills for Life & Work in Omagh
Free training for Omagh school leavers aged 16 to 17 (up to 21 with a disability, or up to 24 if care-experienced). Train at our Omagh centre, gain a recognised qualification, spend real time with a local employer and earn a £40 weekly training allowance while you do it.
The Omagh centre at a glance
- Centre
- 76 Market Street, Omagh, BT79 0AA
- Phone
- 028 8224 0999
- Opening hours
- Mon - Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Training allowance
- £40 per week plus travel expenses
- Next intake
- September, in-year places subject to availability
- Entry requirements
- None, open with or without GCSEs
Centre of Omagh, two minutes from the bus depot on Mountjoy Road. Kevlin Avenue and Showgrounds car parks nearby.
What you get paid while you train
£40
Every week
Training allowance paid while you attend, plus travel expenses to and from the centre.
£100
Start bonus
Paid once you have stayed on the September programme for 13 weeks.
£50
Bring a friend
Paid when a friend you refer joins and completes 13 weeks too.
Vocational areas at Omagh
Omagh is the natural base for school leavers across Tyrone, including Cookstown, Dungannon, Carrickmore, Fintona and Drumquin. Our Market Street centre focuses on health and social care, childcare and Essential Skills, with placements in care homes, nurseries, offices and hospitality across the district. Rural travel is planned with each trainee and expenses are paid.
These are the areas our Omagh centre supports most often. Other vocational areas can be arranged through a nearby centre or a local employer placement.
- Health & Social Care
- Essential Skills
- Childcare
What you leave with
- Level 1 or Level 2 vocational qualification in your chosen area
- Essential Skills in Communication, Numeracy and ICT
- Employability and personal development units
- Industry certificates relevant to your vocational area
Where it leads
- An Apprenticeship NI place with a local employer
- Full-time employment in your vocational area
- Further study at a local FE college
Compare this against an apprenticeship, sixth form and college
Omagh questions, answered
Is Skills for Life & Work in Omagh free?
Yes. The programme is fully funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), so there are no course fees. You also receive a £40 weekly training allowance and travel expenses while you attend.
Do I need GCSEs to join in Omagh?
No formal qualifications needed. The programme is open to school leavers with or without GCSEs. Your local team will talk through your interests and find the right starting level for you.
Where is the training delivered in Omagh?
Training is delivered at the Rutledge centre at 76 Market Street, Omagh, BT79 0AA, combined with a real work placement with a local employer and online learning through Rutledge Learning.
When can I start in Omagh?
Our main intake is in September, and we also take referrals throughout the year where places are available. Register your interest and the Omagh team will confirm the next start date.
How long does the programme last?
Up to 2 years, with most trainees progressing within 12 to 24 months.
What do I get at the end?
A recognised vocational qualification, Essential Skills, real workplace experience and a clear route into an apprenticeship, a job or further study.
Sign up
Register for the Omagh intake
Send us your details and the Rutledge Omagh team will be in touch about the September start and the vocational areas available locally.
Skills for Life & Work in other towns
Our Omagh centre also supports trainees from Cookstown, Dungannon, Strabane, Carrickmore, Fintona, Drumquin.